Kim Caldwell’s latest move on the Tennessee sideline brings in someone who already knows her system.
On Monday, Caldwell announced that Tor’e Alford has joined the Lady Vols staff as a graduate assistant, adding a former Glenville State player to the program ahead of Caldwell’s third season as Tennessee’s head coach. The two already have a working connection: Alford played one season under Caldwell at Division II Glenville State.
Alford spent the past year as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the women’s basketball program at Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma. Her résumé also includes two seasons coaching AAU basketball with Team Trae Young, along with time spent working with Midwest Hustle Elite.
Before getting into coaching, Alford’s playing career began at Hutchinson CC, where she played from 2019-22. She then transferred to Glenville State for the 2022-23 season and averaged 5.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in 32 games, while making 12 starts. That Glenville State team went 33-3 overall and 20-2 in the Mountain Empire Conference before falling in the NCAA Division II national semifinal.
After that season, Caldwell left for Marshall, and Alford transferred again, this time to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to finish her playing career.
Caldwell’s staff has seen plenty of movement this cycle. She parted ways with Gabe Lazo and Roman Tubner, then added Bill Ferrara from Florida State and Isoken Uzamere from Georgia. She also brought in Brandon Miller from NC State as director of video and strategy.
The rest of the assistant group remains intact with Jenna Burdette, Angel Rizor and Lexie Barrier, all of whom were part of Caldwell’s first Tennessee staff.
The support staff also includes Denis Jilka as executive director of basketball operations, Heather Ervin as director of student-athlete success and external relations, Nolan Harvath as director of women’s basketball sports performance, Casi Dailey as director of women’s basketball and Olympic sports medicine and Maggie Stanley as assistant director of women’s basketball operations/special assistant to the head coach.
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The helmet also carries Neylands signature on the back bumper, and Tennessee will pair the Neyland Legacy edition with the Smokey Grey uniforms against Auburn on October 3 at Neyland Stadium. It is the kind of move that will delight the fans who love a throwback and frustrate the ones who believe some things in Knoxville should never be touched, especially when the debate is tied to one of the most recognizable marks in the sport. [Read more 🡒]